River Pollution Testing: Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate (Lab Test)

Description

This laboratory test for Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate is ideal to check the water quality & cleanliness, the ecological status and assess the extent of nutrient pollution (eutrophication) and identify clean water habitats.

Recommended for fisheries, angling clubs, charities which monitor the quality of water as well as private landowners.

This test has been specifically designed to test for nutrient pollution:

• Ammonia: in water is an indicator of possible bacterial, sewage and anmimal waste pollution. High amounts of ammonia are toxic to aquatic life leading to a build up in internal tisues and blood. It is colourless  and odorless, therefore testing needs to take place to establish levels. Presence of ammonia indicates the presence of agriculture and/or urban pollution.
• Nitrate & Phosphate: widely used to assess water quality monitoring programmes. Naturally most freshwaters have low nutrient concentrations, which suits the species living in those habitats. High levels of phosphate and nitrate can have a negative effect and result in excessive growth of some aquatic plants (like algae, duckweed, fungi) which often results in knock-on effects like loss of light, naturally-occurring and sensitive plants, reduction in invertebrate & fish diversity. This can potentially lead to spread of blue-green algae which can be harmful if ingested by humans and animals.

Measuring nutrient pollution can also be an indicator of other (harder to measure) types of pollution. For instance water affected by nitrate pollution from farming is also likely to have been exposed to pesticides and sediment run off. Nutrient rich run off from urban areas often also contains levels of pesticides, sewage and heavy metals.

Arranging a laboratory test is very easy and our service includes everything required to carry out this analysis. 

Once you have ordered on our website, we will send you a water sample bottle, clear instructions as well as pre-paid postage label and return box to send the sample for laboratory analysis.

• Certified laboratory results in 5 easy steps
• Includes everything required to carry out the test
• Simply collect the water sample and post it to our accredited laboratory for expert analysis*
• Results available within 10-13 working days after receipt of the water sample
• Ideal for home & business use
• Bulk buy discounts available – applicable for water samples returned together

Suitable for: fresh water / open water analysis, including water from lakes, rivers, wells, boreholes, springs, ponds, ditches, streams, sea water, estuaries (water with some salinity) etc

The kit for laboratory analysis contains:

• Clear step-by-step instructions on how to collect the water sample,
• Sample bottle to take the water sample,
• Return packaging, pre-paid postage label and courier collection are included,
• Analysis by an accredited laboratory*.

Each order is shipped with 1x pre-paid return packaging; if you are planning on taking samples at different times/places and returning them separately, then please place separate orders.

(*The laboratory has been accredited by UKAS for bacteria analysis of potable as well as water from spa & pool.)

Results: The report shows the test results in the appropriate measurement, like ppm, mg/l, cfu/100ml etc. Results will be sent per Email to the Email address used to place the order.

Please note, that we do not provide interpretation of the test results.

As a general guideline**, the results can be assigned to nutrient pollution categories:

• Clean Water: Phosphate <0.05 mg/l, Nitrate <0.5 mg/l
• Some pollution: Phosphate 0.05 to 0.1 mg/l, Nitrate 0.5 to 1 mg/l
• High levels of nutrient pollution: Phosphate >0.1 to 0.5 mg/l, Nitrate 1 to 2 mg/l
• Very high levels of pollution: Phosphate >0.5 mg/l, Nitrate >2 mg/l
• Nitrate levels >20 mg/l should be reported to the Environment Agency

(**mg/l = pp; Levels vary between waterbodies, like canals, ponds, rivers; also due to geology and local climate.)

• Toxic levels of ammonia vary depending on the water source, pH and temperature. Toxicity to aquatic life has been reported at levels between 0.53 and 22.8 mg/l.
• Natural levels in ground and surface water are usually <0.20 mg/l
• Ammonia >3 mg/l is generally considered harmful to aquatic life

Please note:

• We require a full water sample to be able to perform the tests. Refunds will not be offered where minimum volume of the sample requirements are not met.
• Water samples should be taken the same day they are collected. Any results received outside of the specified holding time will receive a comment on the report to state the results could be compromised. Samples can be taken and posted Monday to Thursday. (For customers from outer Hebrides, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man and Cornwall: please check in advance to ensure overnight delivery is available in your area, refunds can not be given where services are not available).
• Do not mix more than one sample per bottle; please ensure one sample bottle is used per sample outlet.
• This service is only available for UK customers.
• We can not take any responsibility for delayed or failed delivery of the samples to the laboratory for analysis. When samples are not analysed on time or analysis has failed, we can not be made liable for any costs relating to sample collection (ie travel cost etc) or any other costs relating to the failed or delayed analysis.
• Failure to comply with the requirements for sample collection might result in a failed analysis of your water sample. We can not refund orders where instructions have not been followed.